Self-organising Cognitive Appraisals

Abstract

In a recent article, Frijda (1993) points to reciprocal influences between the cognitive and emotional constituents of appraisal as an alternative to what he calls the "linear model" of appraisal. His argument resonates with other contemporary accounts which examine the complex and progressive nature of appraisal, but it also offers a new perspective linking reciprocal causation with emergent structure. Nevertheless, Frijda stops short of a nonlinear model of appraisal, and maintains the conventional assumption of antecedent-consequent structure. As a next step, this article proposes ongoing positive feedback between cognition and emotion as the basis for selforganising appraisals. Built on dynamic systems ideas, this model assumes nonlinearity and emergence to be fundamental properties of psychological activity, allowing appraisals to assemble and cohere rapidly in concert with emotions. Self-organising appraisals stabilise and recur within individual repertoires, due to coupling among cognitive and emotional components. Coupling is guided by normative and idiosyncratic influences that converge in potentially novel ways during emotional experiences. The model provides a new perspective on issues of diversity, consistency, regulation, and sequencing in cognition-emotion relations.